Bridge



(No Model.)

I N, W. MOG'IFPIN.

BRIDGE.

Patented Dec. 30, 1890.

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,B 1 94 644, eooeo UNITED STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

NATHANIEL IV. MQGIFFIN, OF CANAL LEWISVILLE, OHIO.

BRIDGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 443,714, dated December30, 1890. Application filed June 17, 1890. Serial No. 355,756. (F0model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NATHANIEL W. MoG1F- FIN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Canal Lewisville, in the county of Coshocton andStateof Ohio,have invented certain new and useful Improvements inBridges; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is an improvement in bridges; and it consists in the novelfeatures of construction and combination hereinafter fully described.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification Ihave shown one form in which I have contemplated embody- -ing myinvention, and the same is fully disclosed in the followingspecification and claims.

Figure l is a perspective view of my improved bridge. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section of one side of the same. Fig. 3 is a crosssectionof the bridge adjacent to one end of the same.

The object of my invention is to provide a bridge which by itsconstruction will dispense almost entirely with mortises, which weakenthe timbers employed, and thereby secure the full strength of thematerial, and an arrange ment for bracing the bridge so as to render itas strong at the center as at. the ends.

My invention further contemplates a construction by which my improvedbridges may be placed in position to any angle where the cavity to bebridged extends at an angle across the road-bed by pivoting together themembers of the weight-sustaining frame.

In the drawings, A A A A represent a series of parallel stringers uponwhich the flooring is to rest. These stringers are pivotally secured ateach end to the cross-beams B B by means of bolts b or other suitableconnection. The stringers A A are arranged at each side of the bridge ata short distance apart, and the stringers A A may be placed at the sameor a greater distance apart, as found desirable.

At each end of the bridge are two posts 0 O and C C,the lowerextremities of which are shouldered at c c, as shown, and extend downbetween the two outer stringers, which may be slightly recessed toengage the same, as shown in Fig. 3. The posts 0 C are con nected by therails D, which are suitably secured to the same by bolts or spikes orother preferred means.

Each side of the bridge is provided with the inclined braces E E, whichextend from the foot of each post 0 C to the centerof the top rail D,thus supporting the said rail at the center from the ends of the bridge,as clearly shown in the drawings. These braces E E have their lower endsshouldered at e e, leaving a tongue which extends down between the twoouter stringers A A, thus giving them a secure base of resistance.

Beneath the center of the bridge is located the cross-brace F, which isheld in position to support the centers of the stringers A A by verticalbolts G, extending from the top rail, where they preferably extendthrough suitable plates II down between or at one side of the stringersA A and through the crossbrace F. This rod or bolt G is provided with anut or nuts, by means of which the crossbrace may be drawn up verytightly to engage and support the stringers A A. I also provide thebrace-rods K K, which extend from the top rail D or the plate H, asshown, down to the outer extremity of the cross-brace F, where eachengages a staple f. The lower ends of the brace-rods K are provided withadj Listing-nuts 7a, which are screwed up, so as to draw the parts verytight and assist in supporting the cross-brace. The sides' of the bridgemay be provided with one or more longitudinally-extending rails L L, andmay be weather-boarded at the sides or left open, as desired.

\Vhen it is desired to set a bridge constructed as above over a streamor across an opening, the ends of the bridge are suitably supported onabutments in any usual or preferred manner. It will .be seen that thetop rail is braced in the center from the ends of the bridge, which restupon such abutments, and the centers of the stringers are supported fromthe center of the top rail, thus giving great strength at the center ofthe bridge,

which is usually the weakest point, and making it as strong at thecenter as adjacent to the ends.

It often happens that a stream or gully crosses a highway at an anglethereto instead of perpendicular thereto, and as different bridges mustbe made at different angles it has been necessary to construct eachbridge for the particular location it is to occupy.

My object is to provide a bridge which can be built and afterwardadjusted to any angle when it is placed in position. This I acco1nplishby pivoting the stringers A A to the cross-bars B, as before described.The bridge is made and put together, and when put in place it can bequickly adjusted to the exact angle which the stream makes with theroad, thus facilitating the placing of the bridge in position andrendering it possible to construct the same without particular referenceto the angular position it must occupy. By this construction bridgesmight be ordered and shipped to different localities, where they can bequickly put together and placed as they can be readily adjusted,according to the circumstances of the case. I also by my constructiondispense with lnortiscs, and thereby ain enabled to obtain the fullstrength of the material without the weakening effect of mortises.

hen the frame has been placed in position the flooring is spiked downupon the stringers in the usual manner, which will secure the said framerigidly in its adjusted position, as shown in Fig. 3.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, 1s

1. In the herein-described bridge, the COlllbination, with thestringers, of the cross-bars pivoted thereto, substantially asdescribed.

2. In the herein-described bridge, the combination, with the stringers,of the shouldered supporting-posts and braces engaging two adjacentstringers, the top rail supported by said posts and braces and thecross-brace engaging the stringers adjacent to their central portionsand supported from the top rail, substantially as described.

In the herein-described bridge, the C011]- bination, with the stringers,of the posts and braces, the top rail supported thereby, the cross-brace engaging and supporting said stringers adjacent to their centralportions,

the vertical bolt, and ad just-able brace-rod for u supporting saidcross-brace, substantially as described.

Al. In the herein-described bridge, the combination, with the stringersand cross-bars pi voted together, of the side posts and braces, the toprail supported thereby, the cross-brace engaging and supporting saidstringers adjacent to their central portions, and the vertical belt forsupporting said cross-brace and forming a pivotal connection for thesame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aftix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NATHANIEL \V. MQGIFFIN.

Witnesses:

T. J. SMITH, B. L. SHAW.

